"Learning to Cast a Patronus"
Happy holidays everyone! Please enjoy and review!
"I hate her. I really freaking hate her." Daisy Garnet Motomiya stated.
Last year had ended horribly.
Voldemort had been resurrected and Cedric Diggory had been killed by a Death Eater, but no one believed Harry Potter when he tried to warn them.
Everyone thought he was making things up and the Daily Prophet were saying terrible things about him, but stopped when Jasmine Garnet sent a howler to them that threatened to sue them and have the building shut down if they continued.
The Garnet family was well respected and feared in the wizarding world, so the Daily Prophet stopped printing negative things about the Potter heir much to his relief.
Thankfully, David Motomiya had managed to get custody of Harry and he had moved in with the Motomiya-Garnet family who were also housing Sirius Black to give the man a chance to get to spend more time with his godson.
Having Sirius around for the summer had been stressful and annoying since he and Rowan Garnet constantly got into arguments that Davina Motomiya had to break up.
Davina and David were willing to forgive Sirius for the way he and James Potter had treated them in school, but Rowan was never going to allow the man to forget about how cruel he was.
Rowan was just trying to protect his brother-in-law and sister-in-law from getting hurt from their childhood tormentor once again.
At the end of summer, Harry and Daisy were out together, heading off to the girl's favourite muggle shops when a dementor suddenly appeared and they had to lead the creature away from the populated area.
When they had led it into a shop that was empty, Harry had used his Patronus on it, releasing the stag that destroyed the dementor.
The ministry had soon sent a howler to the Motomiya-Garnet household to inform them that Harry was going to be expelled for using underage magic outside of school.
Davina was quick to act, using a pensive and brought it to the ministry to show Harry's memories of he and Daisy being attacked and the Minister waved the punishment, allowing the boy to continue his magical education since he was acting in defence.
Remus Lupin arrived later on to bring Sirius, Harry and the Motomiya-Garnet family to Grimmauld Place, the Black family's home, where they would be having a meeting for the Order of the Phoenix.
When Sirius saw Severus Snape there, he tried to start trouble by insulting the half-blood wizard who had originally been a Death Eater, but became tongue tied when he found Jasmine, Rowan, Jun and Daisy all glaring at him, their eyes glowing a piercing gold color that reminded him how dangerous the Garnets are.
They were not going to allow Sirius to continue behaving like a bully, especially considering how old he was.
David and Davina also made sure that Severus behaved himself and didn't lash out at his former tormentors or be snarky to his students that were running around the Black home.
Soon enough, school had started and everyone was shocked when they learned that the new defence against the dark arts teacher would be Dolores Umbridge who worked at the ministry and was very unpleasant.
It took one little "hem-hem" and Daisy wanted to rip her throat out.
"That's a little harsh isn't it?" Hermione Granger asked.
"No, she's right." Fred Weasley said.
"We hate her, too." George Weasley agreed.
Both twins were sitting across the table from Daisy, Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny Weasley.
"This year isn't going to be any better than the others. It might just be worst with that toad around." Veemon muttered.
And Veemon was proven right.
The second Umbridge stepped foot in Hogwarts, she took over everything.
She started making ridiculous rules and treated all the students who weren't purebloods in Slytherin like trash.
Draco Malfoy was worried when he saw Umbridge go up to Daisy and talk to her about getting rid of Veemon and knew that wasn't going to end well.
"It says in the rules that the only pets allowed to bring are owls, cats and toads." Umbridge said in her polite sugary sweet voice.
"Well, if toads are allowed, then I can see why you're here." Daisy gave a sarcastic smile.
Flinching at that, Draco wondered if he could find a place to hide since he knew this wasn't going to end well at all.
Before he could leave, a crowd of students quickly filled the halls, eager to see how Daisy, the girl who had told off Albus Dumbledore in her first year, would handle an undersecretary of the ministry.
A look of utter contempt flashed in Umbridge's eyes, but she kept that fake smile plastered on her face.
"Now, that creature is not allowed. And you wouldn't want any trouble for yourself would you?" Umbridge asked.
And that tone and smile was what made Daisy snap.
She had been putting up with Umbridge bullying her friends for a month now, using truth serum and blood quills which were illegal and Daisy was done with the woman.
"You really think a filthy mudblood bitch like you has any right to tell me what to do?" Daisy snapped.
Jaws all quickly dropped when that word came from Daisy's mouth.
Never once had Daisy ever used the word mudblood and she seemed to hate it when anyone else said it.
As for Umbridge, she looked like she wanted to slap the girl across her face and Pansy Parkinson hoped she tried it just so she could see Daisy destroy the toad for touching her.
If Daisy threw fire balls at the Weasley twins for changing her hair color, then who knew what sort of hell she would unleash on Umbridge for her tyrant behaviour.
"What did you call me?" Umbridge demanded.
"I don't like using that word, but I believe it suits people who are very unpleasant like you. And you are one. I honestly don't understand why you've gotten away with pretending to be a pureblood when you come from a family of muggle-borns and squibs. I'd like to remind you that I am the heir to one of the oldest families of witches that ever lived. The Malfoys are lower on the scale than the Garnets are and they have the Minister in their pocket. If my family reached out to your boss, he would bend over backwards to be in our good graces. If I spoke up and told him about how you offended me, you'd be out of a job. I'd be very careful if I were you, Umbitch. I can be very nasty when I want to be." Daisy threatened.
Giving a vicious grin and allowed her eyes to glow gold, Daisy felt a great amount of pride when she saw how horrified Umbridge was as she stared up at the raspberry haired witch.
Everyone was shocked silent by what Daisy had said and had no idea how to react, not even Harry who lived with the girl.
Gathering his own courage, Draco stepped forward and placed a gentle hand on Daisy's back making her snap out of her frightening state and blinked up at him, reverting back to her sweet kitten like appearance.
Seeing those big brown eyes staring up at him, Draco couldn't help but smile fondly down at her.
Noticing something silver poking out from her robes, Draco saw that Daisy was wearing the cat-pearl necklace he had given her at the Yule ball.
She had kept it and continued to wear it which made something warm bloom inside his chest, but he had no idea how to describe it.
"Come on, kitten. Let's not waste our time on filthy toads like her." Draco told her.
Stunned that Draco had used her friend Willis Stuart's nickname for her, Daisy snapped out of her disgust and anger for the evil witch and allowed herself to relax into the Malfoy heir's hold.
"You're right. I don't feel like getting warts." Daisy said.
Wrapping his arm around her waist, Draco lead Daisy off to where her friends were located, all of them looking like they wanted to run away in fear or embrace the fiery tempered witch and praise her.
Snapping out of her fear of the girl, Umbridge ordered the students to clear the halls and return to their classes.
When Minerva McGonagall and Davina were told about what Daisy had said to the pink toad, the old tabby offered her a biscuit while her aunt kissed her cheek.
Even Severus was amused by the dressing down that Daisy had given Umbridge and wished he had been there to see the entire thing as his Slytherins happily regaled everyone who missed it with the tale.
Umbridge wasn't teaching the students anything to protect themselves and they were growing frustrated by it.
Finally, the Golden Quartet decided to take matters into their own hands and called a meeting, inviting multiple students for a meeting.
They decided that they needed to be the ones to protect themselves against Voldemort.
When Hermione had managed to say his name instead of You know Who or He Who Must Not Be Named, it made Daisy smile proudly at the girl.
Dobby the house elf that Harry had befriended told him about the Room of Requirements and they used it to set up a secret DADA club.
The only adult that knew about it was Davina who helped the students sneak off so they could practise their spells and watched over them when she saw they needed extra help.
Watching Harry teaching his schoolmates how to use spells to defend themselves, Davina placed a hand on his shoulder and made him look up at her.
"You're doing a great thing, Harry. Your parents would both be so proud of you, especially your mother." Davina told him.
Hearing that made Harry smile happily at the raven haired beauty that then moved on to help Neville Longbottom with a spell he was struggling with.
Draco had been curious over why Daisy and her friends kept sneaking off and tried to follow where she was running off to.
After weeks of watching it happen, Draco had finally managed to corner her when she was in the library reading over a book on defence spells.
"Daisy." Draco called softly.
He didn't want the moody librarian to scold him for speaking too loudly.
Looking up from the book she was reading, the Garnet gave him a smile that made his cheeks grow warm.
"Hey, Draco. What's up?" Daisy smiled.
"Where have you been sneaking off to?" Draco asked.
Shock was in Daisy's eyes, but she tried to hide it and gave him a look of disbelief.
"What are you talking about?" She asked with a friendly smile.
Draco frowned.
He knew her well enough to know that that smile wasn't real.
"Please don't lie to me. I know you've been running around with your friends and doing something. So what is it?" Draco asked.
Unsure of what to say, Daisy tried to avoid his eyes, but it was difficult when Draco moved closer and made sure her chocolate brown orbs met his silvery grey ones.
"I can be just as stubborn as you, kitten. Tell me, please." He requested softly.
She couldn't do it.
She wasn't able to lie to him, not when he was looking at her like that.
Looking around, Daisy took Draco's wrist and dragged him off to a secluded corner of the library, making sure no one would spy on them or hear them.
She actually took out her wand which was a 13 ¼ spruce wood with a thunderbird cord that had a white crystal on the end and cast a spell to make sure no one would be able to eaves drop on them.
"Fine, but if you tell anyone, I'll hex you and make sure you can never procreate." Daisy threatened.
"Understood." Draco agreed.
"It's a secret DADA club. We aren't learning anything from Umbridge, so we're teaching ourselves." Daisy told him.
The Malfoy heir blinked at that as he took in the information she had given him.
"I see. That's understandable. It's also something you would do. I'll keep your secret under one condition." The blond said.
Raising an eyebrow at that, Daisy waited for him to continue.
"You let me join." He stated.
In disbelief, Daisy laughed.
Of all the things he could have requested from her, she hadn't been expecting that.
Then again, he hated how he wasn't leaning anything and he believed Harry that Voldemort had returned.
If Voldemort was back, then he would call on his Death Eaters and that meant he would be coming after his family since his father had taken the dark mark.
Joining this club would mean he would learn proper ways to defend himself against the dark wizards that would be invading his life and his home.
"Harry and Ron are gonna hate this. Fine." Daisy agreed.
Draco smiled at that and Daisy waved her wand, undoing the spell around them.
She then took his hand and it made Draco's heart beat faster and he couldn't stop the smile from spreading across his face.
"Come on. I'm heading there now. Hopefully no one will cause any trouble when they see you." Daisy mused.
(The next day…)
Ron had not been happy to see Draco in the room and started to yell at Daisy for dragging her boyfriend into their business.
Davina wanted to slap the boy for being so rude and when he said something bad about Slytherin once again, Daisy pointed her wand at him and he became mute.
Ginny then asked Daisy if she could teach her that spell since she had to live with loud and obnoxious brothers, and it could help her get some peace and quiet when she needed it.
No one was comfortable with Draco being around and they kept their distance except for Luna Lovegood who knew that the boy wasn't as bad as everyone thought he was.
Today's lesson was casting a Patronus which would be useful against dementors and for sending messages to people without the use of owls.
"Make it a powerful memory. The happiest you can remember. Make it fill you up." Harry instructed.
He then walked through the room, watching over the students who were trying to cast a Patronus, some having more difficulties than others.
"Keep trying, Seamus." Harry told the boy.
Setting his sights on the twins, Harry made his way over.
"George, your turn now." Harry said.
"Expecto Patronum!" George waved his wand.
A blue mist came from his wand like many of the others.
"A full body Patronus is the most difficult to produce, but shield forms can also be equally useful against a verity of opponents." Harry informed.
Ginny then surprised everyone as a stream of blue came from her wand and take on the form of a horse which made the girl smile.
"Fantastic, Ginny! Just remember your Patronus can only protect you for as long as you stay focused, so focus." Harry said as he continued to walk around the room.
Hermione had managed to cast a Patronus which was an otter than swam around the girl making her laugh.
"Think of the happiest thing you can."
"I'm trying." Neville said when he failed to cast one.
"I know. This is really advance stuff, guys. You're doing so well." Harry praised.
Ron was then shocked when his Patronus, a dog, appeared and ran at Neville, knocking him over.
Luna then cast a Patronus which turned into a hare that began to race around the room.
Draco was standing by Daisy, trying to summon a Patronus, but he kept failing.
Every time a happy memory appeared, a bad one quickly followed after and ruined it.
Being born to the son of a Death Eater and having a father who never once told him he loved him or was proud of him made it difficult for Draco to think of any happy memories.
He tried hard to not think of his father or his insane aunt Bellatrix, and focus on his time with his mother.
As for Daisy, she was trying to cast a Patronus by thinking of various happy memories she had.
"Come on, Daisy, you can do it!" Veemon cheered her on.
Snapping her attention onto the blue dragon, Daisy then thought about the first time she met Veemon and how he had joyfully jumped at her, exclaiming that he had been waiting on her.
With the memory of Veemon smiling at her and jumping at her in excitement, Daisy then pointed her wand.
"Expector Patronus!" She called.
Blue lights streamed out of the wand and took on the form of a ragdoll cat that pounced around the room, shocking everyone at the sight of the playful and loveable cat that happily brushed up against the sides of Neville, Harry, Hermione, Davina, Luna and Draco.
They hadn't expected Daisy to have such a sweet and innocent looking creature as her Patronus.
She was such a vicious wildcat and it was very rare that Daisy would show off the kindness and innocence that she had inside of her.
Also, they were expecting to see some sort of black furred feline with golden eyes, but the ragdoll was as white as snow and had large blue eyes.
It was the exact opposite of the animagus form that Daisy had shown to Harry, Ron and Hermione which was a black cat with golden eyes.
Seeing the ragdoll cat was not a surprise for Davina since she knew that it was natural for the Garnets to have felines as a Patronus.
Jasmine's Patronus was a calico cat while Rowan had a nebelung cat.
"You did it!" Veemon cheered as he jumped up and down.
Laughing as the ragdoll cat returned to her side before it faded, Daisy bent down and scooped Veemon into her arms, hugging him tightly to her chest.
"All because of you, Vee." Daisy said.
Veemon laughed happily when he realized that he was Daisy's happiest memory.
Seeing the loving and happy smile on Daisy's face had Draco staring at her, unable to look away as he thought back to the Yule ball last year.
He remembered seeing the happiness in her eyes and the bright smile on her face as she danced with him.
When they also had a few slow dances, Draco remembered how he had felt truly happy and there was a warm feeling that bloomed in his chest.
It was the first night he had where nothing bad had happened to erase the smile from his face.
With that memory in his mind, Draco decided to try it out and see what would happen if he thought of Daisy instead of his mother.
"Expecto Patronum!" Draco called.
The blue mist took on the form of a Russian Blue cat which surprised Draco as he took in the sight of the silver furred and green eyed cat.
That small moment of surprise was all it took for him to lose his concentration and the Russian Blue faded away.
Harry, Ron and Hermione had seen what happened and were stunned that Draco had been able to produce a solid Patronus, even if it was for a few seconds.
"Great work, Draco." Daisy praised.
Stunned once again, Draco looked to his side to find Daisy had walked over to him and was holding Veemon in her arms.
"I didn't think that would actually work." Draco muttered.
"Well, it looks like you were wrong. Also, I don't know why, but I was expecting you to have a dragon." Veemon commented.
"Oh, really? And why is that?" Draco raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow.
"Probably because your name means dragon." Daisy joked.
Draco smirked at that and shook his head.
"Well, now I'm disappointed. I would have loved to see the look on everyone's face at the sight of a dragon flying at them in this small room." Draco teased.
When Daisy and Veemon both laughed, it made Draco smile as he felt like he accomplished something.
"Wonderful job, everyone. Let's keep practising." Harry called.
Hearing that, Daisy stood beside Draco as they both began to practise casting their Patronuses, trying to make them last longer.
Seeing the ragdoll and Russian Blue dancing in the air together left a feeling of pure joy for Daisy and Draco.
The end.